= Mississippian
{c}
The <Mississippian> is the earlier subperiod of the <Carboniferous>, following the <Devonian> and ending at the beginning of the <Pennsylvanian>. It spans roughly 359 to 323 million years ago. The corresponding body of rocks is the <Mississippian> subsystem.<International Chronostratigraphic Chart by International Commission on Stratigraphy (2026-06)>[Carboniferous subdivision and boundary ages]{ref}
For example, a <Mississippian> <fossil> is older than a <Pennsylvanian> <fossil>, even though both may be labelled <Carboniferous>. This subdivision makes broad comparisons more informative without requiring an exact numerical age for each specimen. A numerical boundary age is an estimate on a calibrated time scale; the named subdivision also depends on agreed stratigraphic definitions.
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